Apparatus for forming a section of casing below casing already in position in a well hole



J.BmsaNGER En'AL N 0F CASING BELOW Aug. 24, 1948.

447,629 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A SECTIO CASING ALREADY IN POSITION IN A WELL HOLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 23. 1944 .Illlilla llillllliilllllil V. JQ BEISSINGER ETAL 2,447,629 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A SECTION OF CASING BELOW CASING ALREADY IN POSITION IN A WELL HOLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Au 24, 1948.

Filed May 25, 1944 A g- 4 v. J. BEISSINGER ETAL 2,447,629

APPARATUS 'FOR FORMING A SECTION OF CASING BELOW CASING ALREADY IN POSITION IN A WELL HOLE Filed May 23, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 4;] I0 7P7 .12 7 1 a 5 7 7 5 I e a cz Z" 5 Z ---'5 Z- 3 id, RF

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v. J. BEISSINGER ETAL 2,447,629 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A SECTION OF CASING BELOW CASING ALREADY IN POSITION IN A WELL HOLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 24, 1948.

Filed May 23, 1944 Patented Aug. 24, 1948 pany, Los Angeles, fornia l. 7

Application May 22, 1944, Serial No. 536,908 I 11 Claims. ((31. IGG -M- v This invention relates to the art of lining wells, such as oil wells, with casings and is particularly directed to an apparatus by means of which a section of well casing may be formed at the end of a casing which has already been positioned in a well hole. A

APPARATUS FOR FORMINGA SECTION OF CASING BELOW CASINGIALREADY-IN P0- SITION INAWELL HOLE Victor J. Beissinger, Los" Angeles, and Glenn-D. 7

Johnson, Compton, Calif.; said Beissinger assigner to Richfield Oil Corporation, Los-Angeles, Califi, a corporation of Delaware, and said Johnson assignor to Baash-Ross Tool Comhereinafter described. In the process or the It is a customary procedure on completing an oil well to install in the well a string of casing known as a well casing in order to maintain the well bore and to prevent fluid from some of the formations from entering the :well. This well casing is usually cemented into position at its lower end at least. After the well casing has been set in the well hole it may become desirable to extend the length of the casing below the bottom of the well casing as already set. Further.- more, it may become desirable to replace asection of the well casing already set. Thus, for example, where a section of the well casing is found to be defective or leaking, it may be desirable to remove this section of the casing; Also, it may be desirable to remove a portion of the well casing to'perform additional operations back of the well casing, such as, additional cementing operations. After the removal of the section of the casing, it may become necessary .to install a new section of casing.

Previous to the present invention, whenever it has been found desirable to install anothersection of casing in a well hole after a well cassary to install sections of casing of smaller exterior diameter than the interior diameter of the well casing already set in position, and this necessarily reduces the size of the well bore.

It is the general object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus by'whlch a new section of well casing of the same size as the casing previously set in the well may beformed at any desired position in the well hole.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus by which a new section of well casing formed in the wellmay be'aligned with the previously set well casing.

Another object of the present-invention is to provide an apparatus by which a section of the well casing already set in a well holemay be removed and a new section of well casing of substantially the same size formed in the place position in the well hole will be apparent from thereof. A

We have found that a new section of well casing of substantially the same sizeas the well casing already set in the well, may be formed in the well hole and aligned with previously formed sections by the process andapparatus,

the setting string, which means allow for the positioning prassembling 'of the elements in a 3O ing has been set in position, it has been neces-v i Cali-i}, a corporation of Calipresent invention the elements of a section of well casing are established in retracted position on a setting string. In this retracted position they may be lowered through the previously set wellcasing, although they are adapted to be expanded into a position; toform a section of wellfi casing of the full diameter of the previouslyset well casing. ,On lowering tothegdesired position, connection is made between these'elements A to the previoustwell casing in order to align the elements therewith. The setting string is then manipulated: to move the elements from their retracted position into the position formed:in

:the new casing, the setting string disconnected from the elements and withdrawn from the well hole. Finally the elements are cemented to, the wellhole. {Ihe new section of 'casing thus formed is anchored in placealigned with the old casing, andits formation does not reduce the size of the well-hole.

, The;;apparatus oif lthe, present inventionin- I eludes the casing ,elementsof the new section of casing to be installed, the setting string and means for releasably connecting the elements to retractedfposition; This releasable connecting means also includes means bywhich on relative longitudinal movement between the elements and the setting string the elements may bej moved from the retracted to acasing-forming position. The elements are provided with spring arms or other suitable interconnecting means by which connection may be established between the ele-,

ments and the previously formed well casing,

both in the retracted and expanded positions of the elements," whereby the new casing section so formed is automatically aligned with the previously set well casing.

The apparatus of the present inventionpto v gether with manyfurther advantagesof the invention, will be fully understood from a description of a pref erred example of the invention, and

for that purpose vwe have elected-to illustrate an example oi the invention as applied to thetask of formlnga new' s'ection of casing in'place of a defective section of thelwell casingpreviously, set in the well. The apparatus by which new sections of a well casing can be formed attheir the following description.

In the drawings:

until their edges contact under the influence of the tension bands 9 and assume their final position. I

Each of the inner stave members 2 is provided at its upper end with a spring arm [5 having dogs l6 at their other ends, the dogs providing fingers l1 and shoulders l8. The spring arms l5 are compressed inwardly when the apparatus is passing through the well casing, but when the apparatus is positioned below the well easing, the arms expand and the fingers l1 contact the inner surface of the casing and come to center the apparatus with reference to the well casing. In the expanded position the shoulders l8 are adapted to engage the bottom of the well casing and stop the upward movement of the device when the mandrel is elevated. This provides a point of mechanical support for the device so that the upward movement of the mandrel maybe translated into a force for pivoting the cams I I. Preferably there are also provided spring arms l3 at the lower ends of the outer stave members 3. These spring arms are provided with dogs 20 having fingers 2! for centering the apparatus with reference to the lower section of well casing, and have enlarged portions provided shoulders 22 for limiting the descent of the apparatus.

At their upper ends the dogs 20 have flanges 35 and the lower ends of the staves 3 overlap the flanges 35. Preferably there is installed in the apparatus a bearing surface between the mandrel and staves 2 and 3; and while various bearing surfaces might be provided we have indicated the mandrel 4 as provided with a collar 34 adapted to contact the upper ends of the flanges 35 to serve as this bearing surface. The staves 2 are indicated as of shorter length at their lower ends than th staves 3, in order to provide clearance for the movement of the dogs 20 on the spring arms l9,

For certain purposes, particularly where the apparatus is to be used in a process of forming a section of casing in the open hole below the well casing, additional centering devices may be employed, for which purpose the mandrel 4 is indicated as attached to a spring formed centering device 23.

With the apparatus described, the method of the present invention is as follows: Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, we have indicated diagrammatically a typical well hole 24. Such a well hole is indicated as having the well-known water string 25 with a shoe 25 at its lower end. This water string is cemented in place, as indicated at 21. A well casing 28 is indicated as suspended at its upper end in the well hole by slips 29 mounted in a landing head 30. The well casing 28 extends to the bottom of the well and is there cemented into position, as indicated at 3|. In th drawings thesection marked X of the well casing 28 is indicated as of leaking and defective construction.

In the process of the present invention, this defective section is first milled or cut away. For this purpose there may be employed any usual milling or cutting equipment, not shown, Following the removal of the defective portion of the well casing, the formation back of the well casing is enlarged, as indicated at 32 by means of any'suitable expandable cutter or -reaming tool. The enlargement of-the-well bore removes themud cake or other foreign impermeable material from the Well bore and not only provides adequate space for the subsequent formation of a new casing section but also provides unrestricted access to the permeable formation back of the well casing and facilitates securing a good bond between the formation and the cement to be introduced as hereinafter described.

The staves 2 and 3 are then assembled in the position indicated in Figures 6 and 9 on the mandrel; that is the inner staves form one circle and the outer staves form a second circle, concentric therewith, with the outer staves staggered relative to the inner staves. In this assembling operation the pins of the inner staves are fitted into the slots for the outer staves, and the cams I l on the mandrel are properly engaged with their cam surfaces. The tension bands are positioned as indicated, and the mandrel carrying these staves is attached to the end of a drill pipe 33. Theapparatus is then lowered into the well hole.

When the arms I9 pass below the ends of the casing 28 above the enlargement 32 of the well hole, the arms expand until the flanges 35 on the dogs 20 contact the lower end of the outer staves 3. In this position further lowering of the apparatus allows the fingers 2| to pass into the well casing 28 below the enlargement 32 where they are in position to center'the device as hereinafter pointed out. When the shoulder 22 of the dogs 20 strike the upper end of the casing 28 below the enlargement 32 they arrest the further descent of the apparatus and signal the operator that the apparatus is at the proper depth in the well hole. When the spring arms 15 attached to the staves 2 pass below the casing 28 they expand immediately and cause their fingers IT to contact the inner surface of the casing 28 and center the device with reference to the upper portion of the well casing 28.

The operator now elevates the drill pipe 33 and on contact between the shoulder l8 and the well casing 28'the upward movement of the staves is arrested. and further upward movement of the drill pipe 33 causes the counter-clockwise rotation of the cams ll, expanding the staves as heretofore described and interposes the inner staves 2 between the alternate outer staves 3, forming' the same into a circumferential series to conform to a well casing section. Further movement of the drill pipe 33 releases completely the mandrel from the thus-formed well casing section and the drill pipe and mandrel are then withdrawn from the well hole. As the outer staves 3 expand, the fingers 2! on the dogs 20 move outwardly into position to contact the well casing 28 below the enlargement 32 of the well hole and these fingers then center and align the formed well casing section with the lower portion of the well casing 28. v

The produced casing section is then cemented in position in any ordinary or desired manner. For example, a packer may be lowered down and positioned at a medial point along the newly formed well casing section. Cement is then pumped down the well casing and caused to flow under the bottom of the staves into the enlargement 32 of the well hole and up around the two ends of the casing 28 and back of the newly formed casing, locking the 01d casing 28 with the new casing section. Subsequently the packer is removed and after setting of the cement the bore of the new pipe section is drilled out to conform with the bore of the portions of the casing 23 above and below the new section.

In drilling out the bore of the newly formed casing. the dogs i6 and 20 are drill-ed out. To facilitate the drilling out of these dogs they are 7 preferably' formd 6i a f riable or readily drillable material 'such' as cast iron. The-pins 5, g'uards I, elastic bands 9 end-spring; arms Fr end l 9 remain imbeddedin tlre rhentba'ck 'bf he' n'ewly formed casing sectio'rr and anchor and' i'einforce the-section.

' ndwrerermgm rage-rs we "the drawinga' -we have shown a modificatidn of t'he apparatus whim-may be usedwh'ere-the newwell casing-is to ee rer'm'ed below the alreadyset wellc'asing. In Figure 18 the "w'ellc'asing 28 is indicated as term-inating 'as usuallyiesassesses 36. The ogs I 6 attached to the spring arms '1 Sin thisrhbdification havafingers lT-which are provide with heads or hooks 31 which are-adapted=tocatch on the "float-sheets and su'spe'nd the newly formed section from said fi'o'a't-shoe until the ne'wly formed-section has" been cemented in place.

With the apparatus of the presen invention '-'it is-thinfore possible' to install asee'aen-erw l casing or-run size in a weir hole 'a ft'erfthewell casing has been set in positionin' the' well hole. By means of th e present mvenuon it is-therefore possible" to'j'preserve the "diameter or the'we'll; the diameter of which has previously-teen always reduced'by' these operations.

'"While the specific examples tithe-apparatus herein de'scribed'are "well adapted to' 'c'aiiy out the'objects of the invention, it "willhe envious that various modifications may be m-ado in-"the details 12 of the apparatus" employed, P without 'd-eparting from theyprinciples'of the invention-, and this invention includes such modifications an-d advantages as come within the scope-of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An-apparatus for forming sectionsof casingin afwell hole, com'prisinga mandrel, a: set of inner-staves and a set-of outer'stave's supported by said mandreLeXpanding means interconnecting said mandrel andstaves formoving the-staves radially-upon relative axial'movement between saidmandrel-and staves, and'gui-ding members interconnecting said staves operative for guiding the staves into circumferential alignmenton radial expansion'of the staves.

2. An apparatus for forming well--casing.-sections,- which comprises an inner set and a concentric outerset of casing staves, a mandrel supporting said staves, interconnecting expanding members between the mandrel and staves for radial advancement of the staves on relative axial movement between the staves and mandreL -and tension means foryieldingly urging the staves radially.

3. An apparatus for forming a casingsection in a well hole below a previously-set casing, comprising-a mandrel, a plurality of casingPs taves mounted on the mandrel, radially advancing members between said stavesand mandrel-for radially advancing the' staves on relativeaXial movement between the mandrel and staves,sai-d staves havinginterconnecting guide memhers'ior circumferentiallyaligning the staveswhen radiallyadvanced, and centering arms connected-to the staves adapted for making centering contact with the well casing below which the casingseotion is to be formed.

4. In an apparatus for forming a section ofcasing, a-pluralityof inner casing staves-and-a complementary number of outer casingstaves, a-pin and slot guiding connection between the inner and outerstavesfand spring armsconnected to the staves having centering fingers.

*5; "In an apparatus for forming a section -of-well casing, a plurality of inner staves-and acorn iementary number of outer staves, a pin and-slot guide-connecting me'ans between-the inner and outer'sta-ves, aset of springarnis havin'g centering fingers connected to the inner staves" at their upper ends, and a setof spring armshav'ing centering fingers connected to' the outer staves at thei'r lower ends. I v

6. In an apparatus for forming well casing-sections, a mandrel, a plurality of pivotally movable toothed cams "connected 'to said mandrel, 'a; plurality of Steve members supported by said mandrel and having' toothedc'am surfaces for 00015- eration with said cams, the cams being positioned for radially advancing the staves-on pivotal movem'ent of the cams, said cams being adapted to release the'staveson completion'of the pivotal movement of said cams.

7. In an apparatus-for forming well casing sections, a man'drel; a plurality of pivotally movable toothed cams connected to said mandrel,"a plurality 'of stave members supported'by"said mandrel and havingto'othe'd' cam surfaces for 'cooperation with said earns, the c'ams 'b'eing p'o'sitioned for radially advancing the staves "on pivotal movement of the cams; s'aid'c'a'nis "being adapted to release thestaves.OncDmpIetiOn -Of the pivotal movement of said'c'ams; and inter connecting guide means between the staves'for circumferentially' aligning the staves upon'their radial movement.

'8. In an apparatu'siorjformingaseCtionbf Well casing in a Well hole, in' vvhich a wellca's'ing has been previously set, a"plurality of "staves, means formounting said staves for radialim'ovement from a nested position to a circumfere n tiallyaligned position wherein the staves define a' casing section, spring arms connected to the staves at their lower ends, and having stop blocks for arresting the movement of the staves at'the position of the well holewhere the casing is'to beproduced.

9, In an apparatus for forming asection' of well casing, a circular series of stave members, a concentric outer series of stave members, the staves of the outer series being staggered to the staves of the inner series, means for radially advancing the staves, means interconnecting the staves for guiding the same into circumferential alignment upon expansion, and tension bands yieldably urging the stave members radially =in- Ward.

10. An apparatus for forming sections of'casing in a well hole, comprising casing elements, means .for releasably mounting-said elements in retracted position-on a setting string, means for interconnecting said elements withithe previously set-casing-while said elements are in re tracted position, and means carried by the setting string for expansion of the elements on relative movement between the said elementsand-setting string.

, '11. An'apparatus fOr' forming a 'casingsection in a well hole below a previouslyset well casing, comprising casing elements-means for releasably connecting said casing elements to a setting string, said. 'releasableconnecting means allowing for movement of the casing elements from a retracted position to' aneXpanded-positiorr-on relative movement between said=elements and said setting string, and-interconnecting means on said elements for establishing connection-and alignment between said elements' and the; pre- 2,447,629 9 10 vlously set well casing on lowering oi the ele- REFERENCES CITED ments and setting string adjacent thereto, said means being adapted for establishing connection g s f i g gg gg are of record m the between said elements and previously set I well casing while said elements are connected 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS to said setting string. 3 2 Number Name Date 1,880,218 Simmons Oct. 4 1932 VICTOR J. BEISSINGER. GLENN n JOHNSON. 1525 Price Nov. 20, 1934 2,054,353 Yowell Sept. 15, 1936 

